Just finished geared, fwd GX35 powered folding bike

A few days ago I just did the painting and final assembly on my Honda GX35 powered, front wheel drive bike. It uses a 1960s vintage Raleigh 20 folding frame. I built a flatbed cargo rack and removable sidewalls using locust wood (harder than oak), intended to allow my wife to haul two bags of groceries back from the local grocery store. The geared front wheel drive works great, and the bike works great as a normal bike with the motor off. This has been my goal with both of my motorized bikes. It uses an 18.75:1 gear reducer from David Staton (www.staton-inc.com), which is a little heavy at 8 pounds but should last forever based on the quality of construction. I've tried 18 and 22 tooth drive cogs on the gear reducer shaft and am not sure which to use in the long run. A test ride up a *very* steep and long hill allowed me to ascend at 9mph without pedaling the whole way on the 18 tooth cog. It seems to be a keeper as it rides very well and should be really functional with the cargo box.

-Jim
http://www.outsideconnection.com/gallant

 

[Jim H]

Dang!!! That's really, really, really nice! I want one, now!

 

[Bean Oil]

The geared front wheel drive works great, and the bike works great as a normal bike with the motor off.

Sounds great!

Just doublechecking something: when decelerating, the freewheeled cogs do not allow any engine braking, correct?

Other than that, does the shift technique involve a slight de-throttle?

Thanks for your reply.


~

 

[nwguy]

Decelerating and de-throttling

The driving cog mounted on the Staton gear reducer box is just a 3-prong coaster brake hub style cog. The driven cog is the 5-sprocket freewheel mounted on the front wheel. When the engine's off, the front chain and freewheel stay still while the front wheel spins. So the front wheel makes the "ticky ticky ticky" sound of a freewheel spinning while you ride with the motor off. Same thing when you're decelerating, although you can't hear the "ticky" sound over the engine. There's no engine breaking as it's not a "fixed" gear.

No need to let off the throttle while upshifting to smaller/higher-gear cogs, but it helps when downshifting to bigger/lower-gear cogs.

-Jim

Sounds great!

Just doublechecking something: when decelerating, the freewheeled cogs do not allow any engine braking, correct?

Other than that, does the shift technique involve a slight de-throttle?

Thanks for your reply.


~

 

[beast775]

great build

theres somethin about those foldups and motors that i like,good build lots of work,great front rack for staton box wow.

 

[Egor]

I built a folding bike a few years ago. I think yours is a first rate looking job. Did you lace the hub into the front wheel? I never got a clutch on mine just direct drive, I was going to install a compression release and then just pedal off and release, Zoom. Thanks for making me think, I have a Honda GX35, (keep that oil changed). Have fun Dave
PS: I am sitting here in Ca. and I keep hearing that train sound in the wind. It is tearing up the awning in the back yard.

 

[Dockspa1]

Not to change the subject too much, Egore, it looks like on the news you guys got ripped apart with the wind and then in the mountains, 10 ft. of snow wow!
Now to put it back on track.
How do you think those fold-ups would hold up riding in that? Fold up? Ha Ha

 

[Large Filipino]

I need to take a nap now. All that and it fits in your trunk. My brain is overflowing.
That is the colest thing I seen today.

 

[Jim H]

My little sister got a folding bicycle for christmas from Sears in 1967; 20" wheels and a heavy duty frame and rack. We used to ride three at a time...sure would like to find that old model...

 

[Sianelle]

The detail work on your Raleigh 20 is beautiful. I agree about the front wheel drive, - it's a wonder it isn't used more often than it is.

Hum...... as it happens I've got a Raleigh 20 underneath my work bench.......

 

[nwguy]

New web page with better pictures

Updated my website with better pictures, and text on this bike:

http://www.outsideconnection.com/gallant/hpv/mred/

If you're interested, also see my tall bike:

http://www.outsideconnection.com/gallant/hpv/tall/